HUNTERSVILLE — C.J. Bryce was a 6-foot-4 power forward when he arrived at North Mecklenburg High School prior to his junior season. Coach Duane Lewis saw a gem in need of polishing.

Now a senior signed with UNCW, Bryce put his progress on full display Friday night in a 103-76 win over Mooresville. The 6-foot-4 guard didn’t miss a two-point field goal en route to 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

With UNCW’s Kevin Keatts and Takayo Siddle sitting in the bleachers, Bryce played in total control in an easy victory. He attacked when he wanted to and kept the offense moving otherwise, a performance that had Keatts gushing afterward.

“That’s typical C.J. right there,” Lewis said. “He’s just so smooth and effortless. He’s at a higher level than a lot of these kids. That’s just the bottom line.”

Bryce has worked hard to develop the skills needed to play on the perimeter. He played inside in his first two seasons at nearby Hopewell High School, but by the time he joined Lewis, it was clear he wouldn’t grow into a serious prospect in the post. Instead of being undersized under the basket, he could create mismatches on the wing.

Bryce essentially went from a power forward as a sophomore to a small forward last year to a shooting guard/point guard this year. UNCW coaches view him a combo guard capable of playing either position.

That’s Bryce’s role with North Mecklenburg now. He splits his time between running the offense and playing on the wing. He’s still working to get more consistent with his jumper, but he’s made great strides in his leadership and decision-making, according to Lewis. He’s passing up more shots and trusting his teammates.

On Friday, the Vikings pushed the pace enough that they often didn’t need a point guard. It was defensive rebound, outlet and run, a style that should have him well-positioned to play under Keatts next year.

On defense, Bryce moved around the court, but his high school team still uses him to protect the rim in certain looks because of his size. It’s a do-everything position that doesn’t need a title.

“Lewis calls it a player,” Bryce said. “I don’t really know. I don’t want it to be ‘You’re a 1′ or ‘You’re a 2.’ I want to be able to get out and play how the game comes.”

UNCW wasn’t the only school to take notice of Bryce’s budding skill set. Lewis stayed busy in the early fall handling calls from around the country. Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall took particular interest, flying in to watch Bryce several times. Coaches from Pittsburgh, Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati and Charlotte also passed through North Mecklenburg’s gym.

Lewis — who guided the Vikings to the 2005 Class 4A state title — has produced a steady stream of college players over the past 16 years. Bryce is among four players on this year’s team with Division I plans/offers. The coach thinks Bryce could hang against ACC competition if he’d ended up at a school like Wake Forest or Virginia Tech.

“They were just relentless, did a great job,” Lewis said of UNCW’s staff. “They won the recruiting battle.”

Bryce visited UNCW in September, gave his oral commitment Oct. 3 and made it official last month during the early signing period. He cited the proximity to the beach and the campus (“It’s almost like a movie set or something.”) as major factors, plus the pitch from Keatts.

On his visit, Bryce got the chance to do a few drills in Trask Coliseum and also talk with current players. He asked how they liked the new staff.

“Everybody was like ‘We got 10 times better,'” Bryce said. “He came in and changed the whole program. He really knows what he’s doing.”

The Seahawks stand to look quite different next season with four incoming recruits and four transfers waiting to play. Keatts, in town for the Davidson game, got the chance to check out one of the important pieces of the future on Friday night.

The first-year UNCW coach was impressed with Bryce’s mature approach in a game in which he could’ve easily scored more. He made a point to shout out the guard on his weekly show Monday.

Bryce, meantime, was excited Keatts and Siddle made time around their game preparation to watch him play and then chat with his family and coaches afterward.

“It meant a lot,” Bryce said. “I always wondered once I did commit if they’d still be there. They’ve stuck with me the whole time.